Tribal
Tours
Rajasthan Tribal Tour
From the beginning of man's presence in the area that is now called Rajasthan,
till around 1400 BC, the Bhil and Mina tribes roamed and ruled the land.The
Aran invasion, representedby horse-drawn chariots and superior bows and arrows,seems
to have tyrannised tribal migrations to the south and the east.Pushed into the
natural hideouts-forests and the ancient and craggy Aravalli ranges, the Bhil
and Mina tribes survived more easily.The northern, nomadic ethnic instrusions
continued into Rajasthan.They were represented by the Sakas, Kusanas, Abhiras,
Hunas and more.Quite a large number of these invaders are now covered by the
blanket term Rajput whose royal lineage stood upon the ruins of the Gurjara-Pratihara
empire.All too naturally, the warrior-invaders fitted the Aryan martial caste
of Kshatriyas which in time came to be divided into 36 Rajput clans.
Bhils-the bowmen of Rajasthan
The generic term which describes their tribe apparently derives its name from
bil, meaning bow, which describes their original talent and strength. History
corroborates the legends which tell of the Bhil superiority in archery.From
the Mahabharatha emerges Eklavya,a Bhil who surpassed the skill of Arjuna only
to be repressed by the comand of his guru.The Ramayana tells of Valia, the Bhil
bandit who reformed with the blesings of saraswati, the goddess of learning,
to become valmiki, the renowned poet-sage.
Minas-the militant defenders
The Minas are not just Rajasthan's largest tribal group-they are also the
most widely spread. In the north, they inhabit the Jaipur-Sikar belt of Shekawati,
continuing into Alwar district. The Mina tribesusually have at all, athletic
build with sharp features, large eyes, thick lips and a light brown complexion.
Gaduliya Lohars-the nomadic blacksmiths
The Gaduliya Lohars derive their beautiful bullock carts, or gadis that have
taken them wandering from their original land, Mewar, to different parts of
India.Legend has it that they were committed to fight on behalf of Rana Prathap
who battled bravely against the Mugul Emperor, Akbar when Maharana Prathap
was ousted from Chittaur and he fought the historic battle of Haldighati,
the Gaduliya Lohars were a clean of warring Rajputs who swore to enter the
Merwar stronghold of Chittaur only after the victory of their Maharana.
Garasias-the 'fallen' Rajputs
According to the legend,the Garasia tribals are descended from the chauhan
Rajputs of Jalore in south-west Rajasthan.Some six centuries ago, after defeat
in a battle, they fled to the hills,where they mingled their blood,their myths
and rituals with the local Bhil tribals, to become a distinct group. The Garasias
have an interesting custom of marriage through elopement which usually takes
place on the occasion of the annual gaur fair held during the full moon of
March-April.
The Garasis celebrate 'nyat', a feast of honour, for their dead which is performed
only on Mondays and a stone memorial called 'sura' is erected after the cremation.
Sahariyas-the jungle dwellers
The Sahariyas possibly derive their name from 'sher' or juncle in Persian.
Although they are belived to be an offshoot of the Bhils,they supposedlyearned
this name from the Muslim ruler of Shahbad, since they had chosen to make
their ho0me in the juncle hideouts of the Shahbad district of Kota, and in
the neibhouring regions of Jhalawar, Sawai, Madhopur, Durgarpur and Udaipur.
Damors-the migrated tribe
The small l community of Damours seems to have moved northwards from their
original home in Gujarat to settle inDungarpur and Udaipur districts.
Duration - 22 Nights / 23 Days
Places to See - Delhi - Samode - Nawalgarh - Khimsar - Jaisalmer - Pokhran
- Jodhpur - Mandore - Rohet - Daspan - Sirohi - Ranakpur - Devigarh - Udaipur
- Dungarpur - Chittaurgarh - Bijaipur - Kota - Bundi - Pachewar - Jaipur - Bhandarej
- Karauli - Bharatpur - Agra - Delhi
Day
1: Delhi - Samode
Drive from Delhi to Samode, to stay at its palace or garden retreat. The
village settlement is picturesque.
Day 2: Samode - Nawalgarh
Drive to Nawalgarh in the heart of the Shekhawati region. Arrival in Nawalgarh
& Transfer to Hotel. Afternoon, explore surrounding towns and villages with
their painted havelis and temples. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 3: Nawalgarh - Khimsar
Drive to Khimsar , Arrival in Khimsar & Transfer to Hotel. Afternoon
Visit the village around it is settled at the base of sand dunes where there
are blackbuck visible on short jeep safaris. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 4: Khimsar - Jaisalmer
Drive to Jaisalmer, the charming fortified settlement in the heart of the
desert. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 5: Jaisalmer - Pokhran
Explore Jaisalmer on foot. Cut off from civilisation for centuries, this
is one of the last known citadels where the 21st century has made few intrusions,
and a wide variety of crafts are still practiced. Afternoon, drive to Pokaran
to stay at its fort. Pottery, and decorations for camels are made here. Overnight
at Hotel.
Day 6: Pokhran - Jodhpur
Drive to Jodhpur, with sightseeing in the afternoon. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 7: Jodhpur - Mandore - Rohet
Visit Mandore, and then continue to Rohet with charming fort where you
will stay. In afternoon, a jeep safari to the surrounding Rabari and Bishnoi
villages. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 8: Rohet - Daspan
Drive to Daspan village where the fertile fields grow bountiful crops,
and the village is known for its embroidered shoes. There are also some families
that make bows and arrows in the Bhil style. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 9: Daspan
Continue into farming country, to Siyana. Visit the stable of Marwari horses.
Overnight at Farm House.
Day 10: Daspan - Sirohi
Across the flat, irrigated lands of Sirohi, drive to Leopard's Lair at
Bera. There is a large settlement of Rabaris in the vicinity. These migrants
move around, but this permanent settlement has well-kept, clean homes.
Day 11 : Sirohi - Ranakpur
Drive to Ranakpur with its 16th century temples. Stay at Maharani Bagh
in the midst of an orchard, and with Geraisa dancers performing in the evening
. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 12: Ranakpur - Devigarh
Drive to Devigarh to stay at the Mahal or Palace. Spend evening at the
lakeside farmhouse of a local chieftain. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 13: Devigarh - Udaipur
Drive to Udaipur, stay at a choice of deluxe palace hotels. Sightseeing.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 14: Udaipur - Dungarpur
Drive to Dungarpur with its Bhil villages all around. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 15: Dungarpur - Chittaurgarh Fort - Bijaipur
Drive via Chittaurgarh Fort to Bijaipur, the base for the Mina tribes.
The village is located beside a lake. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 16: Bijapur - Kota
Drive to Kota, stay at Umed Bhawan, Brijraj Bhawan or Sukhdam Niwas. Local
sightseeing. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 17: Kota - Bundi
Drive to Bundi for sightseeing of fort, and Raniji ki Baori stepwell. Continue
to Rajmahal, a 300-year-old palace with the village named after it. The palace
overlooks the river below. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 18: Bundi - Pachewar
Drive to Pachewar vilage and its restored fort or Garh. Flourishing agricultural
practices, toy makers and a blue pottery kiln. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 19: Pachewar - Jaipur
Drive to Jaipur, and sightseeing there. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 20: Jaipur - Bhandarej
Drive to Bhandarej . The village has a lovely setting beside a lake, and
Meena settelments around it. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 21: Bhandrej - Karauli
Drive ro Karauli, known for its pink stone quarries, and and Kaila Devi
temple. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 22: Karauli - Bharatpur
Drive to Bharatpur. Visit bird sanctuary, and visit the old fort with its
incredibly invincible mud bastions. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 23: Delhi
Depart from Agra or Delhi. Tour ends.
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Rajasthan Tribal
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